Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Esther Mcheka Chilenje on Wednesday afternoon suspended deliberations prematurely following disagreement that erupted in the house between the government side and the opposition led by Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

The commotion arose following a communiqué by MCP Chief Whip that Minister of Homeland and Security Nicholas Dausi that he has instructed the Malawi Police Service to block Associations of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) protestors from proceeding to State House near Parliament building.

The communiqué attracted anger from opposition benches with many criticizing Dausi for his action. The first to comment on the matter was Richard Chimwendo Banda who asked Dausi to immediately order the police to let APAM members march to State House.

Banda’s comment did not please Minister of Information and Communication Technology Henry Mussa who threatened to deal with the lawmaker outside the house.

“I will deal with you. I repeat I will deal with you outside this house,” Mussa was quoted as saying while pointing a finger at Banda.

Chimwendo Banda stood up on point of order demanding an explanation on the matter from Mussa who is also lawmaker for Chiradzulu East.

Due to tension Mcheka Chilenje suspended the proceedings for 30 minutes to allow both sides of the house to amicably resolve the issue.

When the house resumed after 30 minutes Mussa apologized to Chimwendo Banda and withdrew his threat.

Mcheka Chilenje then advised the whole house to avoid emotions when deliberating on issues of nation importance.

Meanwhile parliament will resumes its deliberations this morning in the capital Lilongwe.